Introduction

Best of Show is an italian gaming industry award bestowed since 1993.
Awarded in October/November - during the Lucca Games convention - by a jury of operators from the gaming industry.

From 1993 to 1999 the convention took place twice a year, in spring and autumn, therefore the Best of Show was also awarded twice a year.
In the first two editions the prize was awarded by visitor's voting, instead of by a jury.

In the early years of the 21st century Best of Show underwent several changes aimed at making the prize more professional and representative of the fast growing italian gaming industry.

In 2013 the award has been replaced by the Gioco dell'Anno and it survives only as Lifetime Achievement Award

Winners

November 2013

Best of Show for Lifetime Achievement Award: Spartaco Albertarelli

November 2012

Best of Show for Best Card Game: Fotosafari (Red Glove) by T. Triminek
Best of Show for Best Role Play Game: L'Unico Anello (Giochi Uniti) by F. Nepitello and M. Maggi
Best of Show for Best Family Board Game: Sheepland (Cranio Creations) by S. Luciani and D. Tascini
Best of Show for Best Expert Board Game: Trajan (Asterion Press) by S. Feld
Best of Show for Lifetime Achievement Award: Ilja Rotelli
Side Award for best game mechanics: L'Amore al Tempo della Guerra (Coyote Press) by M. Bolzoni and L. Vellutini
Side Award for best concept art: Seasons (Asterion Press) by R. Bonnessée
Side Award for best publishing project: Le Leggende di Andor (Giochi Uniti) by M. Menzel

November 2011

Best of Show for Best Card Game: 7 Wonders (Asterion Press) by A. Bauza
Best of Show for Best Role Play Game: Il Mondo dell’Apocalisse (Narrattiva) by V.D. Baker
Best of Show for Best Family Board Game: Rattus (Cranio Creations) by A. Berg and H. Berg
Best of Show for Best Expert Board Game: Twilight Struggle (Asterion Press) by A. Gupta and J. Matthews
Best of Show for Lifetime Achievement Award: Roberto Di Meglio
Side Award for best game mechanics: A Penny for my thoughs (Janus design) by P. Tevis
Side Award for best concept art: Sake & Samurai (Albe Pavo) by M. Santus
Side Award for best publishing project: 011 (Scribabs) by M. Valtriani

November 2008

Best collectible game: Wizards of Mickey by Andrea Chiarvesio and Stefano Ambrosio (New Media Publishing)
Best boardgame: Alta Tensione by Friedemann Friese (Counter-Stratelibri)
Best card game: Munchkin Cthulhu by Steve Jackson (Raven Distribution)
Best role-playing game: Dungeons&Dragons 4 Ed. by Rob Heinsoo, Randy Collins and James Wyatt (25 Edition)
Side Award as best family game: Formula D by Eric Randall and Laurent Lavaur (Idea Edizioni)
Side Award for best game mechanics: Alta Tensione by Friedemann Friese (Counter-Stratelibri)
Side Award for best concept art: Asterion Press for the Quintessential product series and for Sanctum Imperium Anno XIII
Side Award for best publishing project: Wizards of Mickey by Andrea Chiarvesio and Stefano Ambrosio (New Media Publishing)

Lifetime Achievement Award: Riccardo Albini

November 2007

Best of the best: Kingsburg by Andrea Chiarvesio & Luca Iennaco (Counter-Stratelibri)

Best collectible game: World of Warcraft TCG Nucleo Ardente (Upper Deck Entertainment)
Best boardgame: Kingsburg by Andrea Chiarvesio & Luca Iennaco (Counter-Stratelibri)
Best card game: Wings of War - Dawn of War by Andrea Angiolino & Piergiorgio Paglia (Nexus Editrice)
Best role-playing game: Sine Requie Anno XIII by Matteo Cortini & Leonardo Moretti (Asterion Press)
Side Award as best family game - party game: Kragmortha by Walter Obert, Riccardo Crosa, Massimiliano Enrico, Fabrizio Bonifacio & Chiara Ferlito (Counter-Stratelibri)
Side Award for best game mechanics: Principi di Firenze by Wolfgang Kramer & Jens Christopher Ulric (Nexus Editrice)
Side Award for best concept art: Wings of War - Miniatures by Andrea Angiolino & Piergiorgio Paglia (Nexus Editrice)
Side Award for best publishing project: World of Warcraft by Blizzard Inc. and their licensors 25 Editionfr rpg Upper Deck Entertainment for the card game